This report identifies suitable handling and braking performance requirements for rear-wheel drive passenger cars towing trailers. This includes straight line braking, trailer swing stability, tow car steady turn stability, and combined brake-in-turn stability. Over 2000 combination-vehicle tests with eight trailers and three tow cars (in over 250 different configurations), plus the results of previous trailer towing research were then used to validate and/or revise the criteria and procedures. For straight line braking performance a combination-vehicle deceleration criterion of 0.4 g is recommended. A tow car weight requirement based on trailer brake capability is presented to insure the combination vehicle will meet the deceleration requirement. For trailer swing stability the safety-related performance measure is damping ratio, or the equivalent cycles to one-half amplitude. A minimum damping ratio of 0.15 (or 3/4 cycles to 1/2 amplitude) is recommended. Test procedures and analysis curves are presented which can be used to determine damping ratios for each trailer. In this case a minimum hitch load criterion based on tow car weight is suggested to insure performance compliance. For tow car stability a tentative performance criterion of maintaining a positive tow car understeer gradient up to and including 0.3 g cornering is recommended.
Development of Car/Trailer Handling and Braking Standards. Volume II: Technical Report for Phase I - Rear Wheel Drive Tow Cars
1979
151 pages
Report
No indication
English
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